Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies

About SAIC

For more than 150 years the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has been a leader in educating the worlds most influential artists designers and scholars. Located in downtown Chicago with a fine arts graduate program consistently ranking among the top four graduate fine arts programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report SAIC provides an interdisciplinary approach to art and design as well as world-class resources including the Art Institute of Chicago Museum on-campus galleries and state-of-the-art facilities. SAICs undergraduate graduate and post-baccalaureate students have the freedom to take risks and create the bold ideas that transform Chicago and the worldas seen through notable alumni and faculty such as Michelle Grabner David Sedaris Elizabeth Murray Richard Hunt Georgia OKeeffe Cynthia Rowley Nick Cave and LeRoy Neiman.

About the Department

The School of the Art Institute (SAIC) is a leading private college of art and design located in downtown Chicago a city defined by rich cultural diversity outstanding architecture and innovative public art. Enrolling 31735 degree-seeking students SAIC is one of the largest accredited independent schools of art and design in the United States and is distinguished by its interdisciplinary approach to art and design education. The Undergraduate Division serves approximately 2700 students across five undergraduate degree programs: BFA in Studio BFA in Writing (BFAW) BFA in Art Education (BFAAE) BA in Art History (BAAH) and BA in Visual and Critical Studies (BACVS). Central to the undergraduate experience at SAIC is the Academic Spine a sequence of required courses designed to develop critical thinking professional readiness and prepare students for careers as practicing artists designers scholars educators and creative professionals.

Position Summary

The Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies represents the undergraduate division to both internal and external audiences and serves as a core member of the undergraduate division leadership team providing essential administrative oversight and support for undergraduate programs and initiatives. Reporting to the Dean of Undergraduate Studies the Associate Dean leads programmatic initiatives oversees student learning outcomes assessment and manages routine institutional processes to effectively deliver the undergraduate support of institutional priorities to strengthen post-graduation outcomes this role ensures that curriculum enrollment planning and academic support structures prepare students for professional success and timely degree completion.

The Associate Dean provides academic and administrative oversight of undergraduate programs collaborating with department chairs program coordinators and faculty on new initiatives and changes in curricula through the appropriate approval process and implements policies and procedures related to the undergraduate degree programs and academic departments. This includes supporting developing and integrating career readiness competencies and professional development opportunities throughout the undergraduate curriculum. This position works closely with the Dean of Faculty the Associate Provost for Academic Programming and Curricular Analysis and the Director of Academic Program Review and Assessment to implement institutional priorities. This role reports to Dean of Undergraduate Studies Office of the Dean of Faculty and the roles reporting to this position are the Director of the Academic Spine the Director of English for International Students and the Editorial Advisor of F News

Responsibilities

Curriculum Development

• Supports the Dean of Undergraduate Studies in the development of initiatives related to undergraduate programs and when applicable coordinates with the Associate Provost for Curricular Planning & Analysis the Director of Academic Program Review and Assessment Computer Resources and Information Technology (CRIT) the Registrar Student Affairs and the Office of Campus Enrichment on the implementation of undergraduate curricular requirements and initiatives including but not limited to the Academic Spine Independent Study the Off-Campus-Study requirement the Global Awareness and Social Responsibility requirement Studio Symposia etc.
• Analyzes enrollment data and institutional reports on an ongoing basis to inform planning decisions and identify opportunities for program improvement

Curriculum Management

• Collaborates with the Office of International Affairs and Office of Study Abroad on Study Trip planning procedures awards and review
• Updates Student Affairs staff on relevant changes to the curriculum particularly how such changes impact advising and registration
• Provides oversight of the Studio Symposia identification and approval process including proposal review and coordination with faculty and departments
• Partners with the Dean of Administration Budget and Planning to align administrative budgetary procedures with curricular goals and divisional initiatives
• Maintains and updates undergraduate program information in the academic bulletin ensuring accuracy of degree requirements first year requirements the Academic Spine and academic policies
• Maintains communicates and implements the Deans Syllabus Guidelines

Enrollment Planning and Analysis

• Manages enrollment planning and seat analysis for the Academic Spine courses across multiple departments
• Works with Undergraduate Admissions and studio departments to anticipate and coordinate seat requirements for incoming first year and transfer students (first year required courses studio electives) across multiple departments
• Responsible for the enrollment analysis to determine student eligibility for the Undergraduate Exhibition

Enrollment Management

• Participates in the Course Enrollment Review Committee (CERC) to provide guidance and direction as to when to cancel undergraduate courses to best meet the needs of students. Communicates course cancellation recommendations to Department Chairs Registrar and Senior Administrative Directors.

Assessment and Evalutation

• Collaborates with the Director of Academic Program Review and Assessment on General Education and other undergraduate assessment initiatives
• Participates in degree-level assessment of student learning and serves on the Undergraduate Assessment Committee
• Collaborates with the Director of Academic Program Review and Assessment on assessment training and support for faculty; reviewing applicable learning goals student learning outcomes and rubrics
• Works with CRIT to provide leadership and support for the use of assessment software
• Conducts routine reviews of student course evaluations and follows up with Department Chairs as necessary

Committee Leadership and Institutional Engagement

• Leads and participates in various committee and cabinet meetings to provide strategic guidance facilitate collaboration and advance institutional priorities including: Dean of Facultys Staff; Department Heads; First Year Forum Undergraduate Cabinet; Undergraduate Assessment New Course Proposal Committee; Art School Considerations and Undergraduate Recruitment Committee.
• Participates in long- and short-term institutional planning

Student Support and Academic Success

• Partners with the Office of Student Affairs to ensure that new curricular initiatives are seamlessly incorporated into student support and serves as primary contact for Academic Advising to communicate changes to the curriculum particularly those that impact advising and registration.
• Initiates direct communication with BFA students regarding Academic Spine requirements to ensure timely degree progression
• Serves on the Academic Review Board (ARB) to hear student appeals and evaluate requests for academic exceptions
• Addresses undergraduate students academic concerns including; the resolution of grade appeals provides guidance on academic policies and connects students with appropriate campus resources
• Reviews and adjudicates student appeals for the Undergraduate Exhibition and participates in the exhibition safety walk-throughs each semester
• Participates in the ongoing review and improvement of Undergraduate Exhibition processes and practices to enhance student experience and operational efficiency
• Coordinates undergraduate student opportunities and/or awards.

Communication and Institutional Representation

• Creates and maintains communication materials for diverse audiences including presentations for committees and stakeholders student-facing informational resources web content for undergraduate programs and divisional initiatives.
• Represents the school at Admissions Orientation and Commencement events
• Participates in the development of marketing and communication materials for the Undergraduate Division and assists on school-wide messaging for the undergraduate population
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• MFA MA or equivalent; terminal degree preferred
• At least five years of experience in academic administration with a strong knowledge of undergraduate curricular frameworks degree requirements and academic planning in higher education required. Teaching experience at an undergraduate or graduate level is required.
• Excellent oral and written communicationskills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace particularly Excel for data analysis and reporting
• Familiarity with data management platforms such as Airtable or similar tools
• Proficiency in Canvas (or equivalent LMS)
• Experience with student information systems and advising platforms such as Peoplesoft and Navigate
• Familiarity with assessment software such as Portfolium Watermark or similar learning outcomes assessment platform
• Strong administrative and organizational skills
• Demonstrated success working in collaborative environments
• Competencies: Leadership and autonomy Critical and strategic thinking Creative problem solving Data-informed decision-making Technological adaptabilityAbility to work effectively with students from diverse cultural socioeconomic and educational backgrounds Sense of humor

Physical Requirements

Ability to perform job functions both electronically and in-person as directed

Requires physical movement between buildings in a busy urban environment.

Compensation & Benefits

Please click on the links below to view our competitive comprehensive benefits package:

• Hiring Range:$91000 - $114400 annually

The expected hiring range is an estimated amount for positions based on the grade. Final offers are based on various factors including skill set experience qualifications and other job-related reasons.

• Benefits
• PTO Overview
• Job Classification: Full time exempt
• Employment Category: Regular Staff
• Grade Level:10

If you are accessing this listing from a third party not all links to salary and benefits information may work. Please visit our career page at saic/ for complete information

Application Instructions

Please submit your resume and cover letter to be considered for this position.

Accessibility

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Accessibility Accommodation for Applicants

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits hires and promotes qualified individuals compliant with federal and state laws. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process please contact the Department of Human Resources at .

Required Experience:

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